Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of lung cancer cases in Qatar

Abstract

This study documents for the first time the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of lung cancer cases in Qatar from 1998 to 2005. The age-standardized incidence rate was higher than that in many other Gulf countries: 8.95 per 100 000 (15.2 per 100 000 for males; 3.95 per 100 000 for females). Mean age at diagnosis was 57.5 years. Most patients were current smokers or ex-smokers at the time of diagnosis (82.5%). Unlike other Gulf countries, adenocarcinoma was the predominant type in both Qatari nationals and expatriates (43.9% of lung cancer types). Many cases were in an advanced stage at diagnosis (64.2% at stage IV). Incomplete information was available on mortality rate due to the migration of expatriates. Caractéristiques cliniques et épidémiologiques des cas de cancers du poumon au QatarRÉSUMÉ Cette étude rassemble pour la première fois des données sur les caractéristiques cliniques et épidémiologiques des cas de cancer du poumon au Qatar entre 1998 et 2005. Le taux d'incidence standardisé sur l'âge était supérieur à celui observé dans de nombreux pays du Golfe : 8,95 pour 100 000 (15,2 pour 100 000 chez les hommes ; 3,95 pour 100 000 chez les femmes). L'âge moyen au moment du diagnostic était de 57,5 ans et la plupart des patients (82,5 %) fumaient ou étaient d'anciens fumeurs. Contrairement aux autres pays du Golfe, l'adénocarcinome était le type prédominant (43,9 % des types de cancer du poumon), à la fois chez les Qatariens d'origine et chez les personnes expatriées. Lors du diagnostic, de nombreux cas étaient déjà à un stade avancé : 64,2 % d'entre eux avaient atteint le stade IV. Les informations disponibles sur le taux de mortalité étaient incomplètes en raison de la migration des expatriés.

Perception and intentions to quit among waterpipe smokers in Qatar: a cross-sectional survey

“…A study conducted in Syria reported an average age at starting shisha smoking of respectively 19 and 21 years among males and females, 23 suggesting that shisha smokers have similar characteristics, regardless of country of residence. As with other studies, 3,7,21,22 we noted an increase in shisha smoking among females compared with cigarette smoking. This may reflect the social acceptance of this kind of tobacco use.…”

“…T obacco smoking has been well-recognised as a leading preventable cause of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide. [1][2][3][4] According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco kills at least 6 million people each year, and the number is expected to rise to 8 million by 2030. 5 The prevalence of tobacco smoking in the form of cigarettes is generally declining, while waterpipe (also known as shisha) smoking is on the rise.…”

Assessing the effectiveness of a pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation program in the State of Qatar: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

“…Furthermore, smoking-related diseases are the most prevalent in Qatar. Ischemic heart disease, as an example, was ranked as one of the leading causes of burden of disease in Qatar in 2010 [ 32 ], and Qatar has a higher age standardized lung cancer incidence rate than many countries in the Gulf (8.95 per 100,000) [ 33 ]. In addition, according to a recent survey done by Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar, at least 1 billion cigarettes are smoked in Qatar each year, averaging 12,000 per individual, and 65 million US dollars (USD) are spent on cigarettes annually; 150 million USD are used to cover the healthcare costs of patients affected by smoking-related diseases [ 34 ].…”

Genomic and Bioinformatics Approaches for Analysis of Genes Associated With Cancer Risks Following Exposure to Tobacco Smoking

“…Although, tobacco smoke associated with many types of cancer, it is linked primarily to lung cancer in 90% of men and 70–80% of lung cancer in women ( 4 ). Furthermore, tobacco smoke causes more than 13 types of cancer in men and women ( 5 – 11 ). The main consequences of long-term exposure to tobacco smoke associated with the premalignancy mechanism, which is a considerably delayed process, sometimes taking several years ( 12 , 13 ).…”

“…These health issues require sophisticated genomic assays besides the clinical procedures ( 14 – 16 ). The incidence of disease and cancer risks from cigarette smoking among male and female smokers, increased in the Middle East and worldwide over most of the twentieth century, and continued in the twenty-first century as compared with persons who have never smoked ( 5 , 6 , 17 – 19 ).…”